Mary Frances Hart

Mary Frances Hart passed away January 24, 2012 in El Paso, Texas. She was born to the late August Albert Buehler and Mary G. Buehler May 12, 1927 in El Paso, TX.  After graduating from Austin High School, she attended Texas Western University (now UTEP) receiving a BA in Education and became a teacher at Alta Vista Elementary in El Paso. She married the late Owen Junior Hart, a mining geologist in 1952 and followed  his adventurous underground mining career and started a  family, living in Fairbanks, Alaska, Lark, Utah, Vanadium, NM, Grants, NM, and Silver City, NM. They were married for 59 precious years. After raising her children, she returned to teaching and became a regularly “requested” substitute (beloved even by the students) at Silver City High School for almost 10 years.   She moved back to El Paso with her husband in 2009. Mary was the ultimate wife, mother, and homemaker. She was a champion of animal rights; she especially loved dogs.  Caring for and supporting her family was what made her the happiest and she always went the extra mile to do those “special” things that make memories of “Mom.” Her culinary skills were admired by all who knew her. She was active in the Parent/Teacher Association (PTA), was a homeroom mother, never missed a recital or school program, and always had some goodies waiting for her daughters and their friends whenever they came barreling through the door.  An avid follower of the daytime soap operas, she followed many favorites to their final episodes; 50 years for “As the World Turns” She also was an avid novel reader and  loved staying up late at night to watch old movies.   Mary was competitive. She had a passion for bowling and participated in ladies leagues, garnering precious trophies which stood proudly in the family TV room.  A crafty bridge player, she was a member of several bridge clubs or “cackle sessions” as her husband called them, and also fought hard to be the first one to garner the newspaper and attack the daily crossword puzzle.  In retirement years, she was active with the Silver City Women’s Club, aiding in fundraising activities, sewing and creating unique items for sale, and baking cookies for the annual Christmas cookie extravaganza. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Wesley Buehler Sr.  She is survived by her daughters Stephanie Caviness-Tantimonaco (Michael) and Margaret Hart Zerboni. Our family expresses deep gratitude to Magda Caro, Chachis Cabrales, and Dr. Dwayne Aboud and his wonderful staff for their never-ending and heart-felt care.  Services and interment will be held Tuesday, January 31, 2012 (her late husband’s birthday) at 2:30p.m. at Fort Bliss Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso or the Humane Society of El Paso.  Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes West.  Please visit our online register book @ www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.